I want to win the U.S. Open Cup. Seriously. If the Dewar Challenge Trophy was an Oompa Loompa, then I’d be like Veruca Salt…”I want an Oompa Loompa! I want you to get me an Oompa Loompa right away!”

Why do I want the Cup so badly? No one follows the tournament. The games aren’t televised. No one knows that the trophy is called the “Dewar Challenge Tropy,” (including me until writing this post). It puts unnecessary hurdles into a hotly contested playoff race. Some would argue that the only thing that matters is making the playoffs and that league games should get the priority when considering player rotation.

I disagree. Winning the Open Cup should be our first priority.

The 101-year-old tournament is the longest running national soccer tournament in the U.S. and among the longest running open soccer tournaments in the world. The open, knockout format allows for wonderful David vs. Goliath storylines, and it is no small feat that we were able to beat both Harrisburg and NY Cosmos — two teams with nothing to lose and everything to prove. Then coming up against NE Revolution and FC Dallas, while both of them were in the midst of a league-best run of form, the Union proved that they can match anyone in MLS. There’s no question that the September 16 final against Supporter Shield favorite, Seattle Sounders, will be the toughest match of them all. Reaching the top of this mountain would be a major accomplishment.

We say it all the time, but soccer is a game of confidence. Winning an extremely competitive tournament that included a run through several quality opponents is a serious confidence builder. We need that confidence if we expect to get above the red line over the next month. Winning the Open Cup could be a statement game similar to D.C. United’s win last year that helped rocket them to the top of the standings this year.

Let’s be honest. We will never again get to witness an Open Cup run like the Union are enjoying. Two overtime wins at home, a semi-final win on penalties, and hosting the final at PPL Park is unlikely to occur again anytime soon. Could you imagine the feeling of winning a final over the league’s best team in our house to earn the first piece of hardware in club history? I’d like to bear witness to it, and I hope 18,499 others do as well. Even though it’s on a school night, I want a packed house of crazed fans who want the Cup as much as Veruca wants an Oompa Loompa. I’m ready for it…right now! Get off work early. Bring a busload of your friends. Wave some flags, raise your scarves and go to work hoarse the next day knowing that the Union accomplished something important this season.

Obviously I want to win the Cup and make the playoffs, but if I had to pick just one… I think I just might choose the Cup.

Haven’t bought your tickets to the final yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Click here or call the Union ticket office at 877-218-6466.